The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-10
AN INTERESTING CRIMINAL.
Absorbed in Fastidious Literary Work as the
Time for His Execution Approaches.

Time for His Execution Approaches.
Richmond, Va, Special.
Thomas j. Cluverius, the condemned muir
derer OF his cousin, Lillian Madison is the most
interesting criminal from psychological stand
point that. Virginia has ever seem From the
harmless Smiling Moses" as he was known at
college, he developed into an emotionless, iron
nerved man after he was accused of murder, and
now that he is sentenced to DEATH and will die
on the gallows in few DAYS he has, to all ap-
pearances, forgotten his fate in absorbing liter
ary work. A student of human nature would
md wide field for speculation in this criminal
who can forget the gibbet in turning sentence
and giving his mind to choosing appropriate ad
jectives when rope bangles above his head
Last Monday Cluverius began writing an &C.
count of his life. assisted by minister friend
and all of his waking hours have been given to
the work. All at once he has developed the lit
rosy future has not been marred by rejected
manuscripts and financial troubles. He throws
his whole soul into the task. He does not write
MS ilfe for the purpose of gaining wider notorie
ty, for 1t is not to be published until after his
death, but because en-work has fascination for
him. He rises as ealy as the prison rules allow.
and sets to work long before breakfast He be-
comes so absorbed that he does not notice the
guard coming in and going out of his cell When
MS meager meal is brought in he generally com
plains OF the interruption and after swallowing
few mouthfuls his attention is again concen-
trated on his manuscript At 10 o'clock, or
whereabouts, the minister comes in, and
during the two or three hours the two
are reading over the manuscript, revising, max
ing additions and consulting on the progress of
the work. In a conversation yesterday the min
lister said to the writer: ''Cluverus is as fastld-
lous about his work as young graduate is about
his commencement speech. He rewrites every
page, and frequently makes a third or fourth
copy. indeed he Is as careful as if ne we're
writing book which ne hoped would bring him
fame and fortune Occasionally he has spells of
despair when his sentences will not round and
when the style will not become smooth. When
ever he writes anything which he thinks par
ticulary good he points it out with great self
satisfaction. 1t is happy thing for the young
man that he has taken to this task for it saves
him from broodng on his approaching execu-
ton. You might think that his describing his
trial and conviction would have the effect of re-
calling his fate and disturbing his mind. but it
is not SO. He writes of it all as an outsider and
does not apparently identify himself with the
Cluverius who is to die on JAN l5 In
fact he seems to work under the impress
sion that he is merely writing a
piece OF fiction in the first person. and that after
is written he will have no further concern
| published it will undoubtedly have large sale
1t Is written so far with considerable power of
expression. and the narrative is deeply interesting
Cuverius has not yet indicated his intentions in
regard TO the proceeds, but think they will go
to his aunt Mrs. Turnstall, who has spent her
little fortune in employing counsel for him
You would be surprised at the number of offers
he has received from publishers. The proprietor
OF New York weekly story paper made him an
offer of $1,000 for the manuscript, and Wash
ington firm offered large royalty. Cluverus
has taken no notice of the offers. He is so
taken up with the literary part of the venture
that he cannot give any attention to business
details.
The book will not be confession, as MANY
people expect Cluverus defends himself
throughout. and will assert his innocence to the
last, think He has little hope that the Legs-
lature will do anything for him, and only wants
| to finish his work before the hour of execution
arrives